Rotary Water Distributor with Annular Cavities for Easy Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
The complex structure of existing water distributors makes them difficult to disassemble and assemble, leading to poor water flow and customer experience.
Innovation Solution
A water distributor design featuring a receiving chamber with a rotatable shaft and water distributing valve constrained by a gland, dividing the sealing chamber into annular cavities to simplify the structure and facilitate disassembly, assembly, and maintenance, while allowing for improved water flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the water distributor uses a complex structure to ensure sealing and water distribution function, then the sealing performance is improved, but the disassembly and assembly convenience deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the water distributor body into multiple separable components: the first water distributor body containing the water distributing valve, and the second water distributor body containing the rotatable shaft. These segments are connected through a gland that can be easily removed, allowing the entire assembly to be disassembled and reassembled conveniently while maintaining sealing performance through the gland's sealing function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the sealing function into a separate gland component that can be independently removed. The gland is constrained by restricting formations on both the first and second water distributor bodies, allowing it to be easily taken out for maintenance while maintaining the sealing of the water distributing valve and rotatable shaft when installed.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the water distributor uses a complex structure with multiple components, then the water distribution function is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the water distributing valve and the rotatable shaft into a unified assembly that works together within the same water distribution system. Both components are constrained by the gland and work in coordination to achieve water distribution to multiple outlets, simplifying the overall structure compared to having separate distributed control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The water distributor body is designed with multi-functionality: it can distribute water to multiple different outlets (shower head, hand shower, bathtub) through the rotatable shaft that can rotate to different positions. This single device performs multiple water distribution functions without requiring separate control mechanisms for each outlet.
3Volume of stationary object
If the water distributor uses a compact design, then the installation space is reduced, but the water flow volume decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes three-dimensional space efficiently by arranging the water outlet pipes at different positions and angles around the water distributor body. The rotatable shaft can direct water flow to multiple outlets in different directions, maximizing water flow volume within a compact footprint by exploiting spatial dimensions rather than requiring a larger linear arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a nested structure where the rotatable shaft is positioned within the water distributor body, and the gland constrains both components within the same space. The water outlet pipes are arranged around the central axis, allowing compact nesting of components while maintaining adequate water passage volumes for sufficient water flow to multiple outlets.
Data Source
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AI summary
This application discloses a water distributor, which includes: a water distributor body including a base and a side wall which enclose to form a receiving chamber, a water inlet pipe and at least two water outlet pipes being arranged on the side wall; a water distributing valve; a rotatable shaft being sleeved outside the water distributing valve; and a gland. The water distributing valve and the rotatable shaft are constrained in the receiving chamber by means of the gland. A sealing chamber is formed among the rotatable shaft, the water distributing valve and the water distributor body and is divided into a plurality of annular cavities by the water distributing valve. The cavity communicated with the water inlet pipe is configured as a water inlet cavity, and the cavities communicated with the water outlet pipes are configured as water outlet cavities. The rotatable shaft is configured such that a water outlet cavity can be selected to communicate with the water inlet cavity when the rotatable shaft is rotated. In an embodiment of the application, the sealing chamber is divided into a plurality of annular cavities by means of the water distributing valve, and the plurality of cavities form water passages, so that the water distributor has a simple structure. After the gland is removed, the rotatable shaft and the water distributing valve can be taken out at the same time, and the inner side of the side wall of the water distributor body is free of a hydraulic component, such as a sealing ring, which is convenient for disassembly, assembly and maintenance.